Patents by Inventor Todd Conard

Todd Conard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10540909
    Abstract: Disclosed is a braille display that is impact resistant and that employs a modular construction. The impact resistance is achieved, in part, by molded and resilient end caps. Each end cap includes a centrally positioned slit that functions in absorbing lateral impacts to the display. The impact resistance is further achieved by an over molded housing that is positioned about an associated USB connector. The modularity of the display is achieved by way of a subassembly that is releasably secured within the interior of a main housing. The subassembly, in turn, includes a series of cell compartments that are arranged in groups. Each group of cell compartments is controlled by an individual shift register. This allows a grouping cell compartments to be removed and replaced as needed without disturbing the remaining cell components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Murphy, Todd Conard, Bradley S. Davis, Maarten van Egmond
  • Patent number: 10511749
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magnification device with multiple orientations. This allows a blind or low vision user to select the best orientation for the task being performed. The device includes both opened and closed orientations. It is further configurable into document reading, near object inspection, far object inspection, and self inspection modes. The camera of the device can be manipulated by the user depending upon which of these orientations is selected. Furthermore, the camera automatically adjusts itself into one of two pre-set configurations whenever the device is opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Goldenberg, Carlos M. Rodriguez, Bradley S. Davis, Patrick Murphy, Todd Conard, Waldemar H. Tunkis
  • Publication number: 20190335066
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable magnifier camera with both storage and deployed configurations. In the storage configuration, the entire assembly can be carried via an associated handle. The camera is designed to rest on a desktop, or other planar surface, in the deployed configuration. When deployed, a housing and camera arm are positioned in a cantilevered arrangement over top of an object to be viewed. A camera housing, with an associated camera, is pivotally connected to the camera arm and is positioned over the object upon the camera being placed into a deployed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick Murphy, Todd Conard, Bradley S. Davis, Carlos M. Rodriguez, Michael Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 10462381
    Abstract: Disclosed is a video processor for a magnifier camera. In particular, the disclosure relates to a video processor that eliminates the use of a frame buffer. This, in turn, reduces the latency otherwise present in the video signal. The disclosed video processor also allows selected portions of the display to be shaded. This highlights the non-shaded portions of the display while at the same time allowing the entire object to be perceived by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Murphy, Todd Conard, Douglas J. Glazar
  • Patent number: 10348942
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable magnifier camera with both storage and deployed configurations. In the storage configuration, the entire assembly can be carried via an associated handle. The camera is designed to rest on a desktop, or other planar surface, in the deployed configuration. When deployed, a housing and camera arm are positioned in a cantilevered arrangement over top of an object to be viewed. A camera housing, with an associated camera, is pivotally connected to the camera arm and is positioned over the object upon the camera being placed into a deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Murphy, Todd Conard, Bradley S. Davis, Carlos M. Rodriguez, Michael Goldenberg
  • Publication number: 20180366031
    Abstract: Disclosed is a braille display that is impact resistant and that employs a modular construction. The impact resistance is achieved, in part, by molded and resilient end caps. Each end cap includes a centrally positioned slit that functions in absorbing lateral impacts to the display. The impact resistance is further achieved by an over molded housing that is positioned about an associated USB connector. The modularity of the display is achieved by way of a subassembly that is releasably secured within the interior of a main housing. The subassembly, in turn, includes a series of cell compartments that are arranged in groups. Each group of cell compartments is controlled by an individual shift register. This allows a grouping cell compartments to be removed and replaced as needed without disturbing the remaining cell components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick Murphy, Todd Conard, Bradley S. Davis, Maarten van Egmond
  • Publication number: 20180332230
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magnifier for use by blind or low vision users. The magnifier includes a camera, such as a CMOS image sensor, that displays enlarged images upon a screen for easy viewing. The magnifier further includes a handle that is pivotally interconnected to a housing to allow for handheld use in a variety of different configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Carlos M. Rodriguez, Patrick Murphy, Waldemar H. Tunkis, Todd Conard, Michael Goldenberg, Jeffery McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20180288370
    Abstract: A portable magnifier camera with an associated display housing, base and handle. The camera can be selectively positioned into a variety of configurations, including: a first closed configuration wherein the display and base are in facing relation; a second opened configuration wherein the display is angled with respect to the base; and a third hand-held configuration wherein a handle is pivoted outwardly to permit a user to hold the camera relative to a distant object. The angle of the camera adjusts automatically in each configuration to ensure that the camera's light of slight is perpendicular to the object plane. These configurations enable a user to effectively view objects of differing size and at varying distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Carlos M. Rodriguez, Patrick Murphy, Waldemar H. Tunkis, Todd Conard, Michael Goldenberg, Lee Hamilton, Bradley S. Davis, Robert Leon
  • Publication number: 20180262695
    Abstract: Disclosed is a video processor for a magnifier camera. In particular, the disclosure relates to a video processor that eliminates the use of a frame buffer. This, in turn, reduces the latency otherwise present in the video signal. The disclosed video processor also allows selected portions of the display to be shaded. This highlights the non-shaded portions of the display while at the same time allowing the entire object to be perceived by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick Murphy, Todd Conard, Douglas J. Glazar
  • Patent number: 9998672
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magnifier for use by blind or low vision users. The magnifier includes a camera, such as a CMOS image sensor, that displays enlarged images upon a screen for easy viewing. The magnifier further includes a handle that is pivotally interconnected to a housing to allow for handheld use in a variety of different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos M. Rodriguez, Patrick Murphy, Waldemar H. Tunkis, Todd Conard, Michael Goldenberg, Jeffery McDaniel
  • Patent number: 9992453
    Abstract: A portable magnifier camera with an associated display housing, base and handle. The camera can be selectively positioned into a variety of configurations, including: a first closed configuration wherein the display and base are in facing relation; a second opened configuration wherein the display is angled with respect to the base; and a third hand-held configuration wherein a handle is pivoted outwardly to permit a user to hold the camera relative to a distant object. The angle of the camera adjusts automatically in each configuration to ensure that the camera's light of slight is perpendicular to the object plane. These configurations enable a user to effectively view objects of differing size and at varying distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Rodriguez, Patrick Murphy, Waldemar Tunkis, Todd Conard, Michael Goldenberg, Lee Hamilton, Bradley S. Davis, Robert Leon
  • Patent number: 9948838
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magnifier that is adapted to rest upon a table. The magnifier includes an articulated camera arm that permits an associated camera to be pointed in a number of different directions. This permits the camera to focus upon, and enlarge, both distant and nearby objects. The magnifier also includes pivotal support legs. The legs have a first locked position to support the magnifier upon a table and a second position wherein the legs are locked in position adjacent the housing of the magnifier. This permits the magnifier to be readily transportable and stowable to accommodate the needs of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Conard, Breanna Stachowski, Seth Galewyrick
  • Patent number: 9891438
    Abstract: Disclosed is a video processor for a magnifier camera. In particular, the disclosure relates to a video processor that eliminates the use of a frame buffer. This, in turn, reduces the latency otherwise present in the video signal. The disclosed video processor also allows selected portions of the display to be shaded. This highlights the non-shaded portions of the display while at the same time allowing the entire object to be perceived by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Murphy, Todd Conard, Douglas J. Glazar
  • Publication number: 20170251133
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magnification device with multiple orientations. This allows a blind or low vision user to select the best orientation for the task being performed. The device includes both opened and closed orientations. It is further configurable into document reading, near object inspection, far object inspection, and self inspection modes. The camera of the device can be manipulated by the user depending upon which of these orientations is selected. Furthermore, the camera automatically adjusts itself into one of two pre-set configurations whenever the device is opened or closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Goldenberg, Carlos M. Rodriguez, Bradley S. Davis, Patrick Murphy, Todd Conard, Waldemar H. Tunkis
  • Publication number: 20170126980
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magnifier for use by blind or low vision users. The magnifier includes a camera, such as a CMOS image sensor, that displays enlarged images upon a screen for easy viewing. The magnifier further includes a handle that is pivotally interconnected to a housing to allow for handheld use in a variety of different configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Carlos M. Rodriguez, Patrick Murphy, Waldemar H. Tunkis, Todd Conard, Michael Goldenberg, Jeffery McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20160248948
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magnifier that is adapted to rest upon a table. The magnifier includes an articulated camera arm that permits an associated camera to be pointed in a number of different directions. This permits the camera to focus upon, and enlarge, both distant and nearby objects. The magnifier also includes pivotal support legs. The legs have a first locked position to support the magnifier upon a table and a second position wherein the legs are locked in position adjacent the housing of the magnifier. This permits the magnifier to be readily transportable and stowable to accommodate the needs of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Todd Conard, Breanna Stachowski, Seth Galewyrick
  • Patent number: 9424759
    Abstract: Disclosed is a Braille display device. The device supports an array of individual Braille cells with corresponding tactile pins. The pins can be selectively lifted by way of reeds to generate Braille characters that can be felt by the user. The Braille characters can correspond to visible characters, such as characters on a computer screen. The display is refreshable to allow for the sequential display of lines, paragraphs, or pages. In accordance with the disclosure, the Braille cells are constructed in a manner that minimizes manufacturing costs and that also permits the size of the display to be greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Murphy, Todd Conard, Waldemar H. Tunkis, Michael Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 9413973
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magnifier for use by blind or low vision users. The magnifier includes a camera, such as a CMOS image sensor, that displays enlarged images upon a screen for easy viewing. The magnifier further includes a handle that is pivotally interconnected to a housing to allow for handheld use in a variety of different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos M. Rodriguez, Patrick Murphy, Waldemar H. Tunkis, Todd Conard, Michael Goldenberg, Jeffery McDaniel
  • Patent number: D756439
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Conard, Breanna Stachowski, Seth Galewyrick, Jonathan D. Albert, Mathieu Turpault
  • Patent number: D829804
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Goldenberg, Carlos M. Rodriguez, Bradley S. Davis, Patrick Murphy, Todd Conard, Waldemar H. Tunkis